Sarah Narramore - Learning Specialist

Hi there! My name is Sarah Narramore and I am new to the East Gippsland area in 2021. I am teaching Year 7 English and Maths to two wonderful classes and will be working with the Numeracy team in Junior school. I have moved here from Doreen where I was teaching Middle School English to Year 5’s and Year 7’s. I grew up in the sunny town of Mildura and have always enjoyed the relaxed lifestyle of the country. I am very excited for my ‘tree change’. I love to spend my free time reading, enjoying time with friends and travelling (when we are allowed to!). My favourite places I’ve ever travelled to are Italy and the Greek Isles. I am looking forward to getting to know you and your families. Take care and I’ll see you around.

Kim Green - Music Coordinator

Hi, My name is Kim Green and I have been working at Wantirna College and Vermont Secondary College for the last 20 years. My job included, teaching woodwind, taking ensembles and running Vermont’s music program. I am a passionate music educator with a firm belief that all students should have access to a quality music education and I am looking forward to working with the students at Bairnsdale Secondary College. My husband and I have relocated to the area and are planning on experiencing all the benefits country life has to offer.

David Burgess - Classroom Teacher

Hello my name is David Burgess and will be working in the Technology department, teaching Wood Work, Metal Work, System Engineering, Small engines and Automotive.

I grew up in London UK and moved to Australia 5 years ago with my my wife. I’m one of 3 children, my sister also lives in Australia. I went to university in Southampton UK and Greenwich (London) UK. I’m living in Paynesville and we are loving the coastal life, we even got a boat. I have joined the Bairnsdale tennis club and looking to start playing more sports again. I enjoy taking my son fishing and like to surf but have not found the time to try it out yet.

Simran Kaur - Classroom Teacher

Hello! My name is Simran Kaur. I am an English and Theatre Studies teacher, and I am teaching Year 7, 8 and 10 English this year, alongside VCE Theatre Studies. I am new to the East Gippsland area, and I am living in Eagle Point (and absolutely loving it!). I don’t currently have any pets, but I am hoping to adopt a greyhound once I am settled into the College and the community, and have enough time to give it the love it deserves. I chose Bairnsdale Secondary College because I did a rural placement in Wonthaggi while I was at university and absolutely fell in love with the rural teaching lifestyle and felt that I could make a positive contribution.

Alice Zhong - Classroom Teacher

Hello my name is Alice Zhong . I will be working in the Maths department. I was born and raised in China until I was 18 years old. Then I went to university in England. I spent few years in University of Liverpool (YNWA!). I came to Australia in 2016 and studied at University of Melbourne for my Master degree. The reason I chose Bairnsdale Secondary College and East Gippsland was because I really enjoyed the peaceful lifestyle and I’ve always wanted to explore some places in Victoria other than Melbourne. I’m living in Paynesville at the moment and love the beautiful scenery there. I love to spend my free time staying home and chilling (although I do have my new year’s goal: workout more and learn a new sport!) My favourite motto: I’m realistic enough to know that it’s hard to reach every kid. However, I’m more optimistic enough to get up every morning and try to make a bit difference

Marita Fry - Classroom Teacher

Hello my name is Marita Fry, I will be working in the English department in Years 8, 9 and 10. I moved to Sale 12 years ago with my family. Before that we lived briefly in Orange, NSW and before that we lived in Katherine, NT. I worked at Katherine South Primary School.

Since moving to Sale, I worked at Catholic College Sale for 9 years before taking time off. In 2019 I worked at Maffra Secondary College and during 2020 worked at a variety of schools as a Casual Relief Teacher while dealing, juggling and coping with remote learning with my two boys.

I studied at Victoria University completing a Bachelor of Education in Outdoor Education and English and I am also currently studying a Bachelor of Psychological Science, in which I have four units to complete. I believe that learning never stops…or I’m a little crazy.

I have 9 chickens and 2 beautiful loyal dogs, “Jesse” who has been a member of our family since we lived in Katherine, she is 16 years old and “Holly” our 5-year-old border collie and my running buddy, we live in Longford and I travel to and from Bairnsdale – at least I can crank up the music and tune out for an hour. During my free time I enjoy spending time with my boys, who are keen cricketers. We also mountain bike, camp and sail. I love the outdoors as well as reading and learning new things.

My motto is “Treat everyone like I would like to be treated!

Vivienne Duignan - Learning Support Assistant

My name is Vivienne (or Viv) Duignan - pronounced Dignan and I started with the College this year as a Learning Support Assistant. I was born in Scotland many, many years ago and moved to Australia in 1991. I moved to Swan Reach with my family for a lifestyle change just before Christmas 2020 and before that we lived in Berwick for 19 years. We have twin boys who are currently in Year 11 and we have a Maltese Shitzu called Hazel. I worked in a Secondary College in Berwick for 9 years – 3 in the school canteen and then 6 years running the Food Technology Department. I am looking forward to meeting lots of students and staff and the challenge that goes with any new position.

Rachel Short - Classroom Teacher

Hello my name is Rachel Short and I will be working across both English and Media departments. I grew up in Tawonga South (near the NSW border) but I was actually born in Sale! I’m one of 3 children. I went to University in Melbourne at RMIT. The reason I chose East Gippsland was my family history is deeply rooted in this area (both my parents grew up here and my grandparents all live here) and I wanted to work in a rural area after being in Melbourne for such a long time. I’m living in Stratty! I have a 3 year old Blue Heeler named Nash. I love to spend my free time hosting my radio show on community radio station 3RRRFM based in Brunswick East. I also love AFL/W (go Dees!) I’m looking forward to working in the Bairnsdale and surrounds community and meeting many more people.

Erin Hocking - Classroom Teacher

Hello my name is Erin Hocking. You will find me working in both the Mathematics and Science departments. I grew up in Mount Evelyn over in the Yarra Valley and I have one sister. I went to university in Melbourne and studied at Monash University, specialising in both Primary and Secondary education. The reason I chose Bairnsdale Secondary College and East Gippsland was for the strong sense of community you see both within the College and the surrounding areas. As well as having been offered my dream job teaching Maths and Psychology. I love to spend my free time going to scouts and you will often catch me seeing the latest movies at the cinema. I am excited to begin my journey and I cannot wait to get to know everyone in the community!

Terrie Crow - Classroom Teacher

Hello my name is Terrie Crow. I will be working in Hospitality and Food Studies. I grew up in Mudgee NSW Central tablelands about 3.5 hours west of Sydney. I’m the eldest of 5 children and went to University at Charles Sturt. I chose Bairnsdale Secondary College as I have lived in East Gippsland for the past 12 years and worked at TAFE but wanted to get back to classroom teaching and be involved with young people and their education. I have two goldfish Sharky and Nemo. I love to spend my free time gardening, cooking , playing bowls, watching our race horses race, visiting our children and grandchildren.

Leanne Burgess - Classroom Teacher

Hello my name is Leanne Burgess. I grew up in England and first came to Australia when I was 18 to travel around and explore on a back packers visa. Thankfully, they let me back in! I studied at Brunel University in London and even ran into Usain Bolt training at our campus. In my spare time I love to take part in sport, currently I have taken up Dragon Boat Paddling.

Our College value resilience is an important one for me as I have faced a lot of challenges in my life. One of which was when I started my first year of school, I actually had my own language going on (a friend had to translate to a teacher what I was saying). I was also later found out to have dyslexia. I remember one teacher telling me a week before important exams, I had worked so hard for “Don’t get your hopes up, your not likely to pass”. Thankfully, I proved that teacher very wrong and I carried on finding my own ways around doing things to achieve my goals. I moved out to Australia in 2015 with my husband Mr Burgess. Since then we have had a son, who is now three and we added a rescue dog to the family last year. I am very thankful, as I have been made to feel so welcome at Bairnsdale Secondary College and the wider community already.

Sharon Byrne - Classroom Teacher

Hello, my name is Sharon Byrne. I have joined Bairnsdale Secondary College this year and am excited to be with the Arts Learning Team. I grew up in Bairnsdale and attended Bairnsdale Secondary College for my secondary school education (right, way back, in the late ’80s/early 90s!!!). I attended university at RMIT in Melbourne and taught for many years in Melbourne. Ten years ago, I convinced my city-dwelling husband that a tree change was in order for our young family and we moved to the area. I have enjoyed teaching at Bairnsdale’s local primary schools and now I am looking forward to this next chapter. I have such fond memories of my own secondary schooling (you could always find me rehearsing for production or learning some music in the music centre!) and I am super excited to be a part of creating similar memories for another generation. PS. I am a big fan of all things glitter, sparkly and colourful...so expect to see some of that wherever I go!

Christina Hunter - Classroom Teacher

Hello my name is Christina Hunter and will be working in the Science and Maths departments. I grew up in Sunshine a suburb of Melbourne and I’m one of 4 children.

I studied at the University of Melbourne. I chose East Gippsland as it is a part of the state that I have not lived in. I’m living on a farm near Metung. I breed, show and train Shetland sheepdogs and currently have 3 dogs living with us. I love to spend my free time reading, crafting and being with our dogs.

Dragon e-newsletter

Respect Responsibility Resilience

Issue 1 · 05 Feb 2021

In this issue